Coaching for depression is increasingly being recognised as a valuable approach, and in some cases is supplementing or even replacing traditional therapies. This shift is driven by several factors, including the focus on client empowerment, practical skill-building, and the appeal of a positive, forward-looking methodology.
- Client Empowerment and Resource Focus: Traditional psychotherapy has often been influenced by the medical model, focusing on pathology and problems. Coaching for depression, however, tends to focus on strengths, competencies, and resources, empowering clients to build a new, positive life rather than just fighting the old. This approach aligns with evidence suggesting that clients, not therapists, are the primary drivers of successful therapy.
- Action-Oriented and Goal-Focused: Coaching for depression is typically more action-oriented than traditional therapies, focusing on possibilities rather than impossibilities. Clients are encouraged to identify what works and increase the frequency of useful behaviours, shifting attention from dissatisfaction to positive goals.
- Broader Applicability: The solution-focused (SF) approach, which is often a foundation of coaching for depression, is being successfully applied in various fields, including psychotherapy, coaching, conflict management, leadership, education, and sports.
- Effectiveness and Efficiency: Studies suggest that SFBT, a common modality in coaching for depression, can produce results in less time and at a lower cost compared to traditional approaches.
- Positive Psychology: Coaching for depression is enhanced by positive psychology, which focuses on well-being and strengths.
- Emphasis on the Future: Coaching for depression emphasises a future-oriented approach.
Advantages for Clients
Clients may find depression coaching superior to older therapies for several reasons:
- Focus on Strengths and Solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems, coaching for depression concentrates on identifying and amplifying exceptions (times when the problem is less noticeable) and building solutions from unrecognized differences.
- Empowerment and Control: Coaching for depression keeps clients in the expert position, allowing them to regain control over their lives.
- Positive Emotionality: By focusing on positive emotions, previous successes, and future possibilities, coaching for depression can widen the array of thoughts and actions available to clients.
- Personalised Approach: Coaching for depression is tailored to the individual’s resources, perceptions, experiences, and ideas.
- Ending Therapy: In coaching for depression, ending therapy is discussed as soon as therapy starts, as is evident from the questions about goal formulation: “What would indicate to you that you’re doing well enough that you no longer have to come here?”.
Benefits for Therapists and Coaches
Therapists and coaches might prefer using coaching for depression due to:
- Reduced Burnout: SFBT has been shown to reduce the risk of burnout for those working in mental health care.
- Increased Job Satisfaction: Focusing on strengths and possibilities can make the work more enjoyable and empowering for the practitioner.
- Efficiency: Achieving positive outcomes in less time can allow therapists to help more clients.
- Versatility: SFBT and related coaching techniques can be combined with traditional approaches, enhancing their effectiveness.
- Skills Development: Adequate therapeutic skills can be achieved with less training time and experience than is the case for other psychotherapies.
- Positive Environment: Positive talk leads to more positive talk.
Coaching for depression is gaining prominence as a method to support individuals in reclaiming balance and enhancing well-being. Its strengths-based, action-oriented approach empowers clients to clarify their values, develop effective coping strategies, and build a more fulfilling life. For therapists, this approach can reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction by focusing on positive outcomes and efficient, versatile techniques.
Coaching for Depression, Solution-Focused Therapy, Positive Psychology, Client Empowerment, Well-being, Therapist Satisfaction